The sleep over was awesome! We had a pair of mating lion across the dam the whole night. 2 lioness passed through just in front of the hide at about 3am. Also saw Jackal, Steenbok cape hare and Impala. As it was new moon it was inky black when we turned off the torches, so the stars were amazing. The silence was so intense it hurt the ears. I can only recommend this experience.BTW they provided us with bedding and a spot light and a braai grid even though the website says to bring your own (at no extra cost!) So well done to the Phalaborwa gate staff. I will try to post the few pictures I took sometime later this week, but there are not many as it was just too dark for the cameras.The dam was quite empty, but there was still water for the game in the area, but the bush is extremely dry at the moment and we had to wonder what the animals were eating

_________________"In the end we conserve only that which we love, we love only that which we understand, we understand only that which we are taught" (Baba Dioum, Senegalese Ecologist)

I went to Sable Hide in December 2007, it was quite an experience!Sable hide is quite a big hide,and it was only me and a good friend of mine.When we got to the hide there was a huge elephant bull walking around, it took us a while to get in, but eventually we got the gate open EVEN with the bull about 20meters away from us.We had such an awesome quiet night, your senses are so alert and you hear everything!It was unbelievable hot that night,and we couldn't really sleep with everything going on around us, unfortunately no lions.I would recommend a few things:

1. a very powerful spotlight, we had 2, the one could light up even over the dam.2. Go to the toilets early, so that you don't need to go in the middle of the night, it is quite a walk to the toilets and quite a rush, hahaha!3. If possible, don't braai or light a fire that night, keep it as dark as possible and as quiet as possible, so you don't scare away any animals/sightings.4. Get in some good sleep and be prepared for a night of less sleep than usual, everytime you hear something you will wanna look AND keep in mind, you have to be up at about 04h00, that is the rules when you sleep in a hide.

But it will be one hell of an experience, trust me! I have done it now 3 times, I prefer Shipandani, but still worth it at least once.ENJOY!!

You will be issued with bedding and a key for your bed. You can however take your own bedding if you want. It is safe for kids, nice and open but also safely enclosed. There is a toilet but no showers.

Must you book in advance to stay there? How much must you pay? Must you stay in a specific camp to sleep there? Are there TOILETS? Will you get wet if it rains?

It is advisable to book in advance as its quite a popular sleepover hide.You do not have to be staying in any specific camp, but must fetch the keys bedding etc from the Phalaborwe Gate Office and can have access half an hour before gate closing.There ARE toilets there and basins, no showers.I do not think you will get wet if it rains unless it is blown in by the wind, and then there are shutters that can be closed, so very cosy. I am not sure of the price, but remember it not being very expensive.

When we visited the hide in Feb this year, the people who had stayed there the night before had left a packet of refuse loosely tied, in the bin in the braai area.Along came a Baboon who had a ball with it, despite our best efforts to try and chase him off.Result was litter strewn all over the area.BTW We did pick it all up once Mr Baboon had left, but I have to wonder why people can't take their refuse away with them, surely its common sense.

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